Washing machine



Nov. 6 1923. 1,473,489

B. S. M CUTCHEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5 1920 Patented Nov. 6, 1 923.

imes Fri-cs.

BRUNSON S. MQGUTCHEN, 0F PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed October 5, 1920. Serial No. 414,884.

f1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BRUNSON S. McCor- CHEN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in .Vashing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in washing machines and has for its object to provide a quick detachable power unit which when connected to thewasher serves to operate the washing and wringing mechanism of the washing machine and which when disconnected serves as a vacuum cleaner.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will be in part described and in part obvious as the specification is proceeded with. r

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure l is a side view of a washing machine with power unit attached Figure 2 is a detail view of the detachable coupling between the main shaft of the washing machine and the drive shaft of the power unit; and

Figure 3' is a detached view of one of the pivoted arms for securing the power unit carriage to the washing machine frame.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates any preferred form of rotary washing machine comprising a frame 5, having a clothes container casing 6 therein. The gearing and shafting for actuating the clothes container (not shown) and for rotating the rolls of the wringer 7 generally in-' dicated by the'numeral 8, issuitably connected to and driven from the main shaft 9 of the washing machine.

My portable 5 power unit comprises a wheeled base or carriage 10, mounted upon which is a motor 11 and a blower or pump 12 of any approved design, the latter being connected to a vacuum cleaner nozzle 22 by means of a hose or the like 23.

Any suitable means such as clutch 24 is provided for disconnecting the pump or adapted to said extended axle blower from the motor when the motor. is being used to drive the washing machine, but this is not absolutelv necessary as 'the opening of relief "valve 25 will relieve the blower load.

The drive shaft 13 of the motor is formed at one end with a flexible disk 14 formed with a plurality of spaced openings 15 adapted to receive correspondingly spaced pins 16 projecting from the outer face of a preferably steel disk 17 in turn carried by the shaft 9. Connection can be quickly made by the operator wheeling the portable power unit into position to aline the shafts 9 and 13 and then rotating the shaft 13 until the openings 15 are in proper position to receive the pins 16. When connection of the shafts has been effected the portable power unit is securely fastened to the frame 5 by means of the arms 18 (only one of which is shown) pivotally connected as at 26 to the frame, one at each side thereof.

As clearly shown in the drawings, these arms are formed on their bottom faces with recessed lugs 19 adaptedto fit over the ends of the axles 20 of the wheels 21, said ends being slightly extended for this purpose.

hen it is desired to use the portable power unit as a vacuum cleaner the operator disconnects the shaft 13 from the shaft 9, of course first swinging the arms 18 to dotted line position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a readily attachable and detachable power unit which is adapted to serve the double function of a vacuum clean er and Having thus described my invention. What I claim is:

In a device of the character described, a-

frame, a main'drive shaft mounted in said.

power drive for washing machines.

frame, a portable power unit for driving said shaft the wheels axles and comprising a wheeled carriage,

pivoted arms on said frame swing ends to. lock said power unit to said frome. Y

In testimonywhereofI afix my signature.

BRUNSON S. MoCUTCI-IEN.

down over and engage of said carr age having extended 

